WILLIAM STUART, Esq. Civil Engineer, M.I.C.S.

Presentation of a Piece of Plate to the Superintendent of the Breakwater

(from the Plymouth Times, June 8, 1844)

On Saturday last, the first instant, the Officers and Workmen belonging to the Plymouth Breakwater presented their Superintendent, William Stuart, Esq., with a piece of plate, on the occasion of the completion of the lighthouse erected on the western end of the Breakwater, in Plymouth Sound, as a token of their respect and esteem, after his having been connected with the undertaking for a period of upwards of thirty-two years.

In order to the presentation of this gratifying mark of respect on the part of the officers and men, Mr Stuart had been requested to favour them with his presence on the Breakwater on Saturday last, where shortly before 5 o'clock this interesting ceremony took place. The day was delightfully fine, and the sun shone more than ordinarily bright on the occasion-the tide was near it's height, so that the Breakwater itself-that mighty production of human skill-as well as the Lighthouse Tower were visible to the greatest advantage, and the circumstance of a line-of battle ship and three other men-of-war lying in the sound at this time, added not a little to the grandeur of the scene.

On Mr Stuart's landing at the Breakwater, the officers and workmen, upward of 200 in number, assembled near the base of the Lighthouse, on one side of which the Royal Standard was hoisted, and on the other the Trinity House Flag.

Mr James Findlater, the Foreman of the Breakwater, (and who has served in the capacity since the commencement of the work in 1819,) then addressing Mr Stuart, said they had assembled there that day on the occassion of the completion of the Lighthouse, to request that he would do them the favour of accepting a piece of plate, as a token of their respect and esteem, after his very long connection with the Breakwater. He felt that the testimonial they were about to place in his hands was small, very small, compared to what they wished it could have been. He hoped, however, that he would be pleased to accept it, and that it would be an heirloom in his family for many generations.

Mr. J. C. Dobson, the Superintendent's Assistant-then addressing Mr Stuart-said, it had fallen to his lot to discharge the pleasing duty that day of presenting him, on the behalf of the officers and workmen belonging to the Breakwater, with a silver salver, as a mark of their respect and esteem. It bore an inscription, explainatory of the gift, which, with his permission be read aloud. Mr Dobson then read the inscription on the salver as following.

Presented to

WILLIAM STUART, Esq. Civil Engineer, M.I.C.S.

Superintendent of the Plymouth Breakwater

by the OFFICERS and WORKMEN belonging to that Establishment

On the occasion of completion of THE LIGHTHOUSE, erected on the Western end of THE BREAKWATER

As a small token of grateful respect and esteem after his connection with the Undertaking for a period of more than thirty-two years

1st June 1844

_______

Mr Dobson then, in the name of the officers and men, belonging to the Breakwater, presented the salver to Mr. Stuart

Mr. Stuart having advanced to the part of the Breakwater on which the men were assembled, addressed them to the following effect :- Fellow Workmen-From the unexpectedness of our meeting, I am quite unprepared to express to you, in adequate language, my feelings on the present occasion. Permit me, however, most sincerely to return my thanks to each and to all of you for the token of respect and esteem with which you have thus publicly presented me. It has been my lot from my youth to have been closely identified with the working classes, and I therefore feel a deep interest in all that concerns them. It has always been my endeavour, and I trust it ever will be, to study the comfort of the men over whom I have been placed, and to assist those of them who have been deserving of my support; while at the same time I have never lost sight of the great responsibility resulting from my position towards my employers. The conduct of work of such magnitude as the Plymouth Breakwater has necessarily caused me many anxious hours, and often sleepless nights, but with the continued countenance of my Lords Commisioners of the Admiralty, and your co-operation, I have been enabled to bring to completion this most important part of this great national work. I again thank you for this token of respect, and wish each and all-of-you health to continue your labour for the benefit of yourselves and your familes, and for the good of Old England.